Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan, best time to visit?

B

Bob W

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Dec 31, 2000
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What is the best time of year to visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan? Maybe not this year, but I would like to start planning a trip. Not necessarily on the motorcycle either, maybe make a "family vacation" out of it. Ideally I'd like to visit when the tourists and bugs aren't thick, when the humidity is low, and when it's not too cold or hot.

My ancestor settled there and the family farm and cemetery are now part of the National Park. I was there once as when I was very young, but don't remember much about the area. Plus that was 20 years ago at least.

Anyone live in Northern Michigan near Traverse City / Glen Arbor? Anyone been to Sleeping Bear Shoreline recently?

Thanks for any info,
-Bob
 
I don't know anything about Sleeping Bear Dunes but one of the best camping trips I've ever had was to the UP in early October. It was cool durring the day but pleasant, especially while hiking, and one of the few times I haven't been eaten up by mosquitos up there. It got fairly cold at night, but I was never uncomfortable in my sleeping bag.

We were in the Pictured Rocks area right along the shore of Lake Superior.
 
Bob W said:
What is the best time of year to visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan? Maybe not this year, but I would like to start planning a trip. Not necessarily on the motorcycle either, maybe make a "family vacation" out of it. Ideally I'd like to visit when the tourists and bugs aren't thick, when the humidity is low, and when it's not too cold or hot.

My ancestor settled there and the family farm and cemetery are now part of the National Park. I was there once as when I was very young, but don't remember much about the area. Plus that was 20 years ago at least.

Anyone live in Northern Michigan near Traverse City / Glen Arbor? Anyone been to Sleeping Bear Shoreline recently?

Thanks for any info,
-Bob
Click to expand...

I live in Michigan. Mid June and all of July are the best most wonderful times of the year here. Mid 70s on lake shore to mid 80s temps.

Note..make reservations at least a year in advance. This is one of the most popular places on the shoreline..if you want other sites PM me or email Ill give you some other great state parks etc.


Ren
 
I'm also a native Michigander and support what Ren said. I'd also add September & October to the mix... less hot than the summer months but still nice weather, fewer flies, etc. From late September thru mid-October, as the leaves change colors, Michigan is absolutely gorgeous.

AJ
 
Note..make reservations at least a year in advance. This is one of the most popular places on the shoreline..
Click to expand...
I had no idea; I thought all the tourists came here in the summer...

Although the fall colors would be great, isn't that a peak visiting season?

How bad are weekday crowds in the Fall or Spring? I know in Illinois, even popular parks just outside Chicago, are virtually abandoned on off-season weekdays.

if you want other sites PM me or email Ill give you some other great state parks etc.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the offer, but the main purpose of the visit would be to see specific locations related to family history - the farm, cemetery, Port Oneida town site, etc. that are now all within the National Park boundary. Apparantly the Park Service even plans to upkeep the original field boundaries as part of a "historic landscape" preservation project.

Best Wishes, and thanks for the info.
-Bob
 
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